17 



scale-like sepals, large, generally crested on the back (vexillum) ; 

 4 lateral, two of which on each side cohere and form a bilobed wing. 



In a foot-note to Cuscuta anguina it is stated that " This name is 

 given in allusion to a superstition of the mountaineers, that crows are 

 in the habit of plucking off sprigs of this and C. macrantha, and drop- 

 ping them into running water, when the sprig becomes a serpent, and 

 fit food for the crow. They likewise imagine that the possession of 

 the root of the Cuscuta confers the power of invisibility, and of pass- 

 ing through locks, bars, and doors unhindered." 



IV. On the Indian Species of Balanophora, and on a New Genus 

 of the Family Balanophorece. By the late William Griffith, Esq., 

 F.L.S., &c. 



We have before mentioned the Balanophoracese as a family of 

 Rhizogens (Phytol. ii. 717 &c.) ; in this paper Mr. Griffith describes five 

 Indian species of the genus from which the family derives its name : 

 he however seems to have felt considerable hesitation in referring 

 these plants to the genus Balanophora ; they would indeed appear 

 more properly to belong to Dr. Wallich's genus Sarcocordylis, 

 which we should hesitate about admitting into the Rhizogens at all. 

 The new genus is named Phaeocordylis ; being diclinous, and the 

 male unknown, the generic character has been drawn up from the 

 female. Its general anatomy would appear to correspond with that 

 of Balanophora; its parasitism is also similar ; its principal generic 

 distinction appearing to consist in the presence of a number of para- 

 physiform processes covering the surface of the spike, in its areolation, 

 the sessile solitary ovaria, deciduous styles, and the subpapillose 

 apex of the fruit. 



As Mr. Griffith's observations on these plants are founded upon 

 the examination of extensive materials, they are entitled to great 

 weight ; we here quote them in extenso, regretting that we cannot 

 also reproduce the illustrative figures. 



" All the species agree in having an amorphous tuberiform mass, 

 which may be considered as the common axis. This mass is firmly 

 united to the woody system of the roots of the stock, which are rami- 

 fied in its substance, the bark ceasing along the places of union. 

 The cellular tissue of the mass adheres firmly to the divisions of the 

 roots, which appear to terminate in an abrupt manner. Some of the 

 specimens look like zoophytes adhering to foreign bodies. This 

 common mass or axis is much lobed; the surface is always more or less, 

 aad often to a high degree verrucose, the verruca? being variously 

 loled, and having an appearance that suggests the idea of their being 



